As a new year begins, it's fun to look back on the months in terms of fashion and beauty. What worked, what didn't? Which looks did you rock, and which did you wish that you hadn't? Let's take a look at what's on the beauty horizon in 2011!
Winged pin-up eyeliner
It may not be the 1950s anymore, but the decade's makeup has some serious endurance! The return of the pin-up girl style makeup was on an upward trend at the end of 2010 and shows no sign of fading out of popularity in 2011. Thick, winged eyeliner takes some practice - especially if you are using the feared-but-famed liquid liner - but once you have the skill under your belt it can be a formidable beauty tool.
TIP: If the potential to be left with a smudged, black mess on your eyes turns you off, try practicing by applying the liquid liner to the side of your thumb, down close to where it meets your wrist. The skin is curved the same way that your eyelid is, and if you make a mistake the area is perfectly located to simply rub the makeup off onto a wash cloth. You don't run the risk ruining or restarting the rest of your makeup, and you can practice the shape until you're comfortable enough to line your eyes.
Bold lips
If there is one thing thing that will be prevalent on the red carpet this year, it would be bold lips of any shade. It used to be that eyes were the sexiest thing a woman could use to grab attention, but there is a new makeup trend on the loose. Bold lips paired with simple eye and face makeup is not only attention-grabbing, but adds mystery and some fun to traditional makeup looks.
TIP: When you are going bold, go all the way. Invest in a tube of lipstick primer - MAC Cosmetics makes a great lip primer, but several other brands do as well. Before you do anything, gently scrub any dead skin from your lips with a warm, damp washcloth. Then apply your primer. Once your primer is on, moisturize your lips with a light, colorless lip balm. Now it's time to choose your lipstick! When you do this, pick a lip liner pencil that matches your lipstick as closely as possible. Line your lips carefully and then fill them in with the liner first. Apply the lipstick on top of the liner, and you are finished! Lining and filling your lips first prevents the color from running or fading prematurely, which is the worst way to take the ferocity out of bold lipstick.
Naturally enhanced
A makeup trend that I am thrilled to see making its way onto the red carpet in the new year is the "almost-natural" look. While the bare-faced look may make some people uneasy, this is a great way to bring out your natural beauty but with something extra! Perfect your skin with your favorite foundation. Use shades of eyeshadow that are similar to your skin tone but with a shimmery luster. Pair them with some soft liner and a coat or two of mascara. A rosy tint of blush and lip gloss finishes the look with ease.
TIP: A good way to ensure that you are using natural shades is to pick up a "neutrals" palette from any store that specializes in cosmetics. This way you will be able to experiment with what colors match your skin the most closely. Don't be afraid to have fun with it! Shimmer, glitter, or matte finishes are all available, mix and match to decide what works best for you.
